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Padres adjust to life without Luis Arraez

Former San Diego Padres Luis Arraez (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Baseball’s best pure hitter no longer calls San Diego home. Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez joined the San Francisco Giants on a one-year, $12 million deal this offseason. He wanted to return to being an everyday second baseman.

The San Diego Padres hoped for a reunion, but could not guarantee playing time at second. Arraez left the organization for a better opportunity, but that is life in baseball’s transient lifestyle.

Now, the Padres are trying to find new ways to score runs with a revamped top of the batting order. So far, they have managed to stay afloat despite their struggles to score runs at Petco Park.

The home schedule at Petco Park has been challenging

The home schedule has been a challenge for the Friars. They opened the 2026 campaign against the talented Detroit Tigers starting rotation, followed by a series with the San Francisco Giants. For their effort, the Padres averaged 2.4 runs per game on their first homestand.

This weekend, the Friars get a brief respite against the inexperienced Colorado Rockies before facing the American League West-contending Seattle Mariners. It is hard to kickstart your offense against such quality pitching. 

Offense found its groove on the road

After a disappointing opening home stand, the Padres’ offense showed some life on their last road trip. The lineup averaged close to five runs per game away from Petco Park.

The move of Ramon Laureano to the leadoff spot has allowed the remainder of the order to wear down opposing pitching staffs with a quick strike power-hitting approach. Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Gavin Sheets, Nick Castellanos and Jake Cronenworth would never be considered an easy out. All are ready to pounce on a mistake. 

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It can be exhausting for a starting pitcher who has to navigate a hot lineup multiple times in a start. The goal is to force them to overthink on the mound. It is hard to be perfect with every pitch thrown. The Friars must continue to take advantage of bad pitches. 

The loss of Arraez has not limited the Padres’ offense at the start of the season. Instead, the lineup is feeding off one another, as every hitter is doing their part to extend innings and score runs.

The Friar Faithful’s optimism is running high, especially after back-to-back walkoff wins. The recent outburst has demonstrated that the lineup can lift the team out of a less-than-ideal pitching matchup.

The production can only get better in the coming months.

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NBA must-watch games for final day of season, April 12: Nine games that impact playoff scenarios, seeding

It's all about the drama. A few years back, the NBA borrowed an idea from European soccer leagues and had all its teams play at the same time — or at least within the same conference — so there was no advantage to knowing what was needed. It sets up a situation in which two games are ending nearly simultaneously, with major playoff implications.

This year, nine of the 15 games on Sunday have some level of postseason implications. Here is everything you need to know.

Eastern Conference

The top four seeds in the East are locked in: 1) Detroit; 2) Boston; 3) New York; 4) Cleveland.

Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat, 6 p.m. ET, League Pass

Brooklyn Nets at Toronto Raptors, 6 p.m. ET, League Pass

Atlanta can lock up the No. 5 seed with a win in Miami, setting up a first-round matchup with Cleveland. However, an Atlanta loss combined with a Toronto win would move the Raptors up to fifth and drop the Hawks to sixth (and a first-round meeting with New York). A Toronto loss also secures Atlanta the No. 6 seed.

If Toronto loses, it could fall to seventh if Orlando wins, which brings us to the next games that matter.

Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN

Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers, 6 p.m. ET, League Pass

If Orlando can win on the road, it locks into the No. 7 seed, with an outside chance of jumping past Toronto to No. 6 and avoiding the play-in if the Raptors lose at home to the Nets (unlikely but not impossible). However, if Orlando loses in Boston, Philadelphia would jump up to No. 7 it can win at home over the tanking Bucks.

Orlando and Philadelphia will likely face each other in the first round of the play-in, but the No. 7 seed will host that game.

Charlotte Hornets at New York Knicks, 6 p.m. ET, League Pass

Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat, 6 p.m. ET, League Pass

Charlotte had an impressive end to the season, but needs one more win to secure the No. 9 seed and be at home for the first of two play-in games it must win to make the playoffs. If Charlotte loses and Miami wins, the Heat jump up to ninth and host the play-in game.

Western Conference

The top two seeds are locked in: 1)Oklahoma City; 2) San Antonio. That doesn't mean the Spurs don't have something to play for on Sunday.

Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers, 8:30 p.m. ET, League Pass

The Nuggets at Spurs is the juiciest game of the day.

San Antonio can give itself a likely much easier path to the Western Conference Finals if it shows up on the final day of the season and beats Denver. If the Nuggets lose and the shorthanded Lakers can beat tanking Utah at home, then the Lakers jump the Nuggets to be the No. 3 seed (Los Angeles and Denver would be tied, but the Lakers have the tiebreaker thanks to that wild game a few weeks back where Austin Reaves' intentionally-missed free throw rebound and bucket forced overtime, then Luka Doncic won it in OT with an amazing baseline jumper).
Neither Oklahoma City nor San Antonio wants to see Nikola Jokic and Denver in the second round. Denver is — for my money — one of the three best teams in the NBA and a true title contender. If the Nuggets fall to the No. 4 seed, they would line up to face the Thunder in the second round in a titanic battle (assuming both win their first-round series). Also in that scenario, if the Spurs win their series against a play-in team, they would face the winner of the Rockets vs. Lakers first-round series — two good teams, but neither as threatening as the Nuggets.

Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers, 8:30 p.m. ET, League Pass

Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers, 8:30 p.m. ET, League Pass

The Trail Blazers beat the Clippers on Friday night and, with that, control their own destiny — beat the Kings on Sunday and Portland finishes No. 8 in the West and will travel to Phoenix for a win-and-you're-in play-in game (and the Trail Blazers would just need to win one of two games to make the playoffs). However, if the Trail Blazers stumble and the Clippers beat the Warriors, the Clippers would move up to No. 8 and travel to Phoenix, while Portland would fall to ninth and host the Warriors in the first of two play-in games it would have to win to advance.

The Warriors at Clippers game is a little odd because those two teams are very likely to turn around and face each other a few days later in a win-or-go-home game, so we could see some unusual lineups and two coaches trying not to tip their hands.

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Blue Jackets vs Canadiens Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

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The Montreal Canadiens will continue their quest for the Atlantic Division crown against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, April 11.

Montreal narrowly won a 2-1 nailbiter on March 26th, which kick-started an ugly six-game losing streak for the Jackets.

My Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens predictions and NHL picks suggest that an iconic milestone may be achieved for the second consecutive game at the Bell Centre.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens prediction

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens best bet: Nick Suzuki Over 1.5 points (+135)

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is just two points shy of the century mark.

Of course, his linemate Cole Caufield had his moment of glory on Thursday, becoming the first Canadiens player to score 50 goals in a season since 1989-90. Suzuki would become the first Hab to hit 100 points in exactly 40 years.

The Habs captain has tallied 33 points in 22 games since the Olympic break, and he notched a point on both Montreal goals against Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Suzuki ranks sixth in NHL scoring over the last two seasons, and a 100-point campaign would be a significant addition to his resume.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens same-game parlay

With the 50-goal monkey off his back, Caufield remains the hottest goal scorer in 2026.

Caufield has notched 28 goals in his last 30 games and 10 in his last 11. Perhaps he has an ounce of extra motivation to find twine, as he’s just two goals behind Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead.

On the topic of red-hot Habs, Jakub Dobes has been arguably the best goalie in the league over the past month.

While more aggressive and erratic than calm and prude, Dobes has allowed two or fewer goals in seven of his last nine starts (and has won seven straight for good measure), boasting a .944 save percentage during that span.

Additionally, the Columbus Blue Jackets have only scored eight goals in their last five games.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens SGP

  • Nick Suzuki Over 1.5 points
  • Cole Caufield anytime goal
  • Blue Jackets Under 2.5 team total

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens odds

  • Moneyline: Blue Jackets +110 | Canadiens -130
  • Puck Line: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-220) | Canadiens -1.5 (+180)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens trend

Montreal has won eight of the last 10 matchups against Columbus, including seven straight from Nov. 2022 to Nov. 2024. Find more NHL betting trends for Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens.

How to watch Blue Jackets vs Canadiens

LocationBell Centre, Montreal, QC
DateSaturday, April 11, 2026
Puck drop7:00 p.m. ET
TVSportsnet East

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Mets designate Richard Lovelady for assignment

Richard Lovelady throws a pitch in a Mets home white pinstriped uniform
Richard Lovelady | (Photo: Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

You’ve read this on this site before: The Mets have designated left-handed relief pitcher Richard Lovelady for assignment. This time, he’s being replaced by veteran right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel.

The Mets first acquired Lovelady in June last year, and they’ve now designated him for assignment five times in less than a year. Despite having DFA’d him three times during the 2025 season, the Mets signed Lovelady to a major league deal in late October. And they DFA’d him again in January to clear a 40-man roster spot when they acquired infielder Vidal Bruján.

When you look at all of that, you can’t help but feel for the player, even if there’s a sense of relief that the Mets might be moving on. Lovelady was booed at Citi Field in the Mets’ first season of the series during an extra-inning loss to the Pirates, but those boos were likely intended as much for the Mets’ front office and manager putting him in that spot as they were for the performance of Lovelady himself.

In 7.1 innings with the Mets since Opening Day this year, Lovelady has a 3.68 ERA and a 4.92 FIP. In 10.0 innings with the Mets last year, he had a 6.30 ERA and a 6.74 FIP.

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Ludacris, NBC Sports team up for 'It's Time' spot promoting NBA Playoffs return to NBC

"It's Time."

The NBA Playoffs return to NBC — and make their debut on Peacock — on Sunday, April 19. To celebrate that return home, NBC Sports has partnered with Ludacris — the three-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, actor, and philanthropist — for an NBA playoffs promotional spot called "It's Time."

The song is Ludacris' reinterpretation of the legendary "Time Has Come Today" by The Chambers Brothers. It is at the heart of a cinematic spot that weaves together the larger‑than‑life moments we have come to expect as part of the NBA Playoffs.

"When the clock's ticking and everything's on the line, that's what playoff basketball is all about," Ludacris said. "Being part of this spot and the NBA Playoffs' return to NBC and debut on Peacock feels like the positive adrenaline rush we all want & need!"

"The NBA Playoffs are where time becomes everything -- every possession, every decision, every second," said Lyndsay Signor, Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing, Universal and Television Entertainment Group. "Reimagining 'Time Has Come Today' with Ludacris allows us to honor the history of the game while delivering a modern, cinematic expression of what makes playoff basketball so compelling. As the NBA returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock, this spot sets the tone for the urgency, spectacle, and iconic moments that define the postseason."

Chris "Ludacris" Bridges incredible success is due to a combination of hit tracks — such as "Stand Up," "Get Back," "Southern Hospitality,' "Number One Spot," "Money Maker," and "My Chick Bad" — and eye-catching videos that accompany them. Together, that made for a perfect partner for NBC Sports and the NBA. Of course, many fans know Ludacris better as "Tej" from the Fast & Furious franchise.

The NBA playoffs return to NBC on Sunday, April 19, with more details on times and matchups to come.

"It's Time" will debut during Sunday Night Baseball's Cleveland Guardians at Atlanta Braves game, April 12, on NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports' coverage of the NBA Playoffs on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN tips off one week later.

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Highlights: Wembanyama drops 40 points in 26 minutes in Spurs trouncing of Mavericks

Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Marvin Bagley, Jr. (35) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Coming off a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Spurs battled the Dallas Mavericks for the final time this season. Stephon Castle was ruled out, but Victor Wembanyama returned from his rib contusion. The Spurs started the game hot, outscoring the Mavs 37-26 in the first quarter. However, the Mavs fought back and outscored the Spurs 39-31 in the second. Wemby and Cooper Flagg were exchanging buckets, and the second half looked to be a shootout. Wemby and the Spurs had other plans. They outscored the Mavs 40-28 in the third, and carried a 15-point lead into the fourth. Wemby scored his 30th point in 20 minutes and came out of the game. However, he checked back in for six more minutes to finish the job. He finished with 40 points in 26 minutes, and the Spurs’ supporting cast handled the Mavs for the rest of the fourth. The Spurs ultimately won 139-120.

Victor Wembanyama dropped 40 points (14-23 FG, 10-11 FT), 13 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal in just 26 minutes. With this game being his 65th, Wemby has officially secured eligibility for awards. He could have played lazily and sat in the corner for 20 minutes, but that is not who Wemby is. He made it a mission to put up an MVP-type stat line, knowing he would only get limited minutes. The Mavs could not guard him. How poetic is it to start the season by dropping 40 on the Mavs, and possibly end the regular season by dropping 40 on them again? Wemby is now likely to be awarded Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA First Team, and All-Defensive First Team. Not bad for his third season in the league.

POWER THROUGH! Wemby drives through both Ryan Nembhard and Marvin Bagley III for the slam!

WELCOME TO THE SPACE JAM! On the fastbreak, Wemby takes off from just inside the paint and skies for the one-handed slam!

Another angle!

SPIN CYCLE! Wemby spins off of Moussa Cisse and throws it down with the left hand!

SPIN CYCLE x2! This time, Wemby catches the ball in the paint and immediately spins off of Cisse for the layup off the glass!

Bullet dime! Wemby rifles a pass to a wide-open Carter Bryant, who swishes the three!

AND-ONE! Wemby drives past Dwight Powell, takes contact, and finishes off the glass for the and-one!

De’Aaron Fox dropped a double-double: 18 points and 10 assists to go along with one rebound. Fox started off slow, dropping only four points in the first half. However, in the third quarter, he caught fire and dropped 14 points. When Fox drains at least two shots in a row, look out. The one constant for him throughout the game was his assists. He threw lobs, tossed dimes to shooters, and was a playmaker on the fastbreak. Like the Blazers game, this is a Fox performance the Spurs are looking forward to come playoff time.

Timing is key! Fox lobs a pass into Wemby deep in the paint, then Wemby catches it and throws it down!

High-flyer! Fox catches the pass off the curl and detonates with a tomahawk slam!

Keldon Johnson dropped 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists. KJ feasted on the Mavs’ bench players. He fought his way into the paint and threw up his usual share of hook shots. His infectious energy has helped this team’s chemistry since the start of the season, and it will only grow louder come playoff time. Look for him to have a big performance this Sunday to solidify his case for Sixth Man of the Year.

This game could have gotten interesting in the third. The Mavs’ scoring pace was high, and while the Spurs were matching buckets, it was in the team’s best interest to put them away as early as possible. Wemby solidified his case for DPOY and MVP, and six other players finished in double figures. With one game remaining, it remains to be seen if the Spurs will rest players to get ready for the playoffs next weekend, or to try to defeat the Nuggets so that the Lakers could move up to the 3rd seed (if the Lakers beat the Jazz). Regardless, Spurs fans cannot wait for the team’s first playoffs in seven seasons.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs close out the regular season against the Denver Nuggets this Sunday at 7:30 P.M. (CST) on ESPN/FDSN-SW. Thank you to all who have been reading these articles during the season!

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Panthers vs Maple Leafs Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

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Two Atlantic Division rivals meet for the final time this season as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers.

Joseph Woll gets the call between the pipes for the Buds tonight, and my Panthers vs. Maple Leafs predictions expect another busy night for Toronto’s netminder.

Find out more in my NHL picks for Saturday, April 11.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs prediction

Panthers vs Maple Leafs best bet: Joseph Woll Over 26.5 saves (-110)

If there’s been one positive about the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, it’s been their goaltending.

Joseph Woll carries a respectable .901 save percentage this season despite plenty of difficult assignments, and he’ll likely be busy again tonight against the Florida Panthers.

The Leafs’ goaltender has faced an average of 33.1 shots against per game — the highest mark in the NHL among netminders with more than two games played.

Woll has made Over 26.5 saves in nine of his last 10 appearances, while the Panthers have recorded 26+ shots in all three of their meetings against the Maple Leafs this season.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs same-game parlay

John Tavares has improved as the season has worn on, logging a point in eight of his last 10 games.

On the Panthers' side, Sam Bennett seems to always bring his A-game against his hometown Leafs, and he’s eclipsed 2.5 shots in five of his last six contests.

The Over is also 6-3-1 in Toronto’s last 10 games.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs SGP

  • John Tavares Over 0.5 points
  • Sam Bennett Over 2.5 shots
  • Over 6.5

Panthers vs Maple Leafs odds

  • Moneyline: Panthers +110 | Maple Leafs -130
  • Puck Line: Panthers +1.5 (-215) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+175)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-115) | Under 6.5 (-105)

Panthers vs Maple Leafs trend

Toronto has cashed the first-period game total Over in 16 of its last 20 games at home (+10.45 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Maple Leafs.

How to watch Panthers vs Maple Leafs

LocationScotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
DateSaturday, April 11, 2026
Puck drop7:00 p.m. ET
TVSportsnet

Panthers vs Maple Leafs latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Game #14: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 5: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 5, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs, April 11, 2026, 2:20 p.m. ET

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road today against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field looking to grab a win.

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

  • Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
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BD community, this is your thread for today’s game against the Cubs. Enjoy!

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Penguins sit stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin ahead of visit by Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The 100th meeting between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will have to wait.

That's if it even happens at all.

The Pittsburgh Penguins scratched Crosby and longtime teammate Evgeni Malkin, among many others, just hours before Pittsburgh was scheduled to host Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

The Penguins said Crosby is day to day with a lower-body injury and Malkin is day to day with an upper-body injury. Pittsburgh also scratched forwards Ben Kindel and Bryan Rust and defensemen Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson and Parker Wotherspoon.

Crosby and Malkin have both missed games recently with injuries. Crosby didn't play for a month after injuring his knee while playing for Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Malkin has missed nearly 20 games this season with various health issues.

The decision came two days after Pittsburgh clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2022 with a victory over New Jersey. The Penguins have basically locked up second place in the Metropolitan Division with three games remaining.

Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, and the Capitals are still holding out faint hope of making the postseason. Washington is still mathematically alive but likely needs to win each of its final three games and get some help.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

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Steph Curry has amusing reaction after Brandin Podziemski's first 30-point game

Steph Curry has amusing reaction after Brandin Podziemski's first 30-point game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Everyone is talking about the long-awaited Brandin Podziemski 30-point game.

Podziemski finally reached the milestone in Friday night’s 124-118 loss to the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. And Steph Curry, who was aware of the stakes, joked about the feat with reporters postgame.

“I told him we were going treat him like Devin Booker,” Curry said. When he scored 70 in Boston, they lost. Give him the sign and all that.”

Podziemski had his first 30-point game in a loss, which makes it harder to celebrate the moment properly. Curry was still able to have some fun talking about it, given the fact that the Warriors are locked into the 10 seed in the wild Western Conference.

“I know he’s been searching for it, Curry continued. “Everybody knew it, too, so it was fun to see him get it. And the way he got it.”

Podziemski scored 25-plus points eight times this season before getting over the hump. Even if it doesn’t seem like a huge deal, it silences the critics who have been ruthless toward the 23-year-old as of late.

With the Warriors slated for some meaningful basketball next week, it could be timely for another Podziemski 30-piece.

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Kings Vs. Oilers Preview: Can LA Move Into The Top 3?

The Los Angeles Kings (33-26-19) will compete in front of their home crowd for the final time this season on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10). 

After pulling away against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, Los Angeles has won three games in a row and currently holds the second wild card spot, just a one-point lead ahead of the Nashville Predators. 

Adrian Kempe Leads The Way In Kings Win Over CanucksAdrian Kempe Leads The Way In Kings Win Over CanucksThe Los Angeles Kings took care of business with a victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

 A win against Edmonton will not only give the Kings momentum heading into the playoffs, if they get there, but also put them just two points behind Vegas and Anaheim if either team loses. Right now, the Ducks and Golden Knights are tied for the second seed, and Los Angeles will have a great chance to move into the top three, assuming one of them loses their remaining games. 

Start Time and TV Schedule

Who: Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

When: 1:00 p.m. PT

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network West

Projected Kings Lines

Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere

Joel Armia - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright

Jeff Malott - Samuel Helenius - Taylor Ward

Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty

Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke

Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci

Anton Forsberg

Darcy Kuemper

Projected Oilers Lines

Vasily Podkolzin - Connor McDavid - Matt Savoie

Max Jones - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Kasperi Kapanen

Colton Dach - Josh Samanski - Trent Frederic

Jack Roslovic - Adam Henrique - Curtis Lazar

Mattias Ekholm - Evan Bouchard

Darnell Nurse - Connor Murphy

Jake Walman - Ty Emberson

Connor Ingram

Tristan Jarry

Key Factors

The Oilers have had the Kings' number for years now, in both the regular season and the playoffs. But this season, the two teams have split their two meetings, with the Kings losing the humiliating February match, getting throttled 8-1 at home. 

Even with Leon Draisaitl out for the rest of the season, the Oilers are still winning, led by Connor McDavid and his heroics. With that being said, Edmonton is playing for the No. 1 seed, right now holding a one-point lead over Vegas and Anaheim, while Los Angeles continues to fight to make the postseason. 

So, both teams have something to play for, and if we see the Kings play like how they've played in their last three games, with Adrian Kempe continuing his recent hot play, Anton Forsberg being a monster under the crease, and the third line giving contributions, the Kings can absolutely win this game at home. 

With this being Los Angeles' last home game and with the Kings playing with urgency, that could work in the Kings' favor. The Kings need this game with Nashville still on their tails and a chance to continue moving up in the standings. A win against a potential playoff contender gives them momentum heading into the postseason. 

Notes and Updates

For the Kings' injury report, Alex Turcotte (undisclosed) and Andrei Kuzmenko (meniscus) will remain out.

As for the Oilers, Jason Dickinson (lower body), Leon Draisaitl (lower body), Zach Hyman (undisclosed), and Mattias Janmark (shoulder) are all out. 

Image

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GameThread: Tigers vs. Marlins, 1:10 p.m.

Apr 10, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) stands on third base in then first inning against the Miami Marlins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Detroit Tigers (5-9) vs. Miami Marlins (8-6)

Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park
Opponent Site: Fish On First
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (0-1, 5.23 ERA) vs. RHP Janson Junk (0-1, 3.09 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Mize210.128.310.935.74.630.1
Junk211.217.04.342.93.440.2

Lineups

MARLINSTIGERS
Jakob Marsee – CFKevin McGonigle – SS
Xavier Edwards – 2BWenceel Perez – RF
Agustin Ramirez – CColt Keith – 3B
Liam Hicks – DHDillon Dingler – C
Otto Lopez – SSRiley Greene – DH
Owen Caissie – RFKerry Carpenter – LF
Connor Norby – 1BSpencer Torkelson – 1B
Graham Pauley – 3BZach McKinstry – 2B
Heriberto Hernandez – LFMatt Vierling – CF

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The Yankees got the 2025 Luis Gil in his first start of the year

Apr 10, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a pitch during the first inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

The suddenly slumping New York Yankees lost again on Friday night at Tropicana Field. The offense continues to come up short, and they just can’t buy a hit. We’re putting the bats to the side for a moment though to discuss Luis Gil and his first start of the season at the MLB level after struggling on Sunday in Triple-A. Skipped in his first time around because the Yankees only needed four starters through the first couple weeks, Gil’s in an important season, as the luster really faded from him last year after an AL Rookie of the Year win in 2024.

It’s safe to say things could have gone better on Friday. Four rocky innings of work and 88 pitches were the final tally, and to be completely honest, this was—for large stretches of his outing—2025 Gil all over again, struggling to throw strikes and to consistently generate swings and misses.

Gil allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in the four frames, striking out two. He also threw a wild pitch and hit a batter in the disappointing outing.

After struggling with velocity for much of the spring, Gil averaged 95.1 mph on his four-seamer on Friday against the Rays, down from the 95.3 mph of 2025 and a more impactful 96.6 the year before. This pitch was his bread and butter in 2024, when he won Rookie of the Year, but it just earned one swing-and-miss on 13 swings for a meager eight-percent whiff rate. For reference, the fastball earned an 18.8-percent whiff rate in 2025 and a 28.5-percent whiff rate in 2024.

For the night, Gil got just five empty swings: three on his slider, which he struggled to fully command, one on his changeup, and one on his four-seamer.

Gil threw 38 balls and 50 strikes on the night, but he was all over the place with all his pitches:

Gil opened the game trying to establish the four-seamer and complementing it mainly with sliders. He got two quick outs in the first inning before running into trouble, walking Jonathan Aranda and hanging this slider to Yandy Díaz, who gladly deposited it in the right field stands for a game-tying two-run dinger:

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What looked like a quick and painless opening frame for Gil turned into a 32-pitch inning that set the tone for the rest of his outing and immediately capped his upside to go relatively deep into the game.

The second time through the lineup, Gil started to introduce more sinkers and changeups. The former actually helped him get five called strikes and led to a 57.9-mph average exit velocity in three batted-ball events, with just one of them going for a hit. One could argue that, with better command, the pitch could potentially be useful. It doesn’t look like a huge difference-making offering, though.

It’s hard to envision a successful Gil without better control, command, and velocity. Take away those three things, and his ceiling is severely capped.

It’s also important for him to maintain his velo deep into his outings. The pitch averaged 95.8 mph in the opening frame, and then slipped to 94.4 mph in the second, 93.8 mph in the third, and 94.4 mph again in the fourth. His sinker did average 96.6 mph in the third, though, but Gil just won’t be successful if he’s sitting in the 93-94 mph range.

Gil did make a nice defensive play on a squeeze play attempt by the Rays in the fourth, preventing another run from scoring. So at least his glove helped him out a little bit.

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It’s still early. Heck, it’s Gil’s first start of the season. We are willing to grant him a pass, as we shouldn’t be judging a pitcher using just one outing. However, one thing needs to be said: given that this more of the same frustrating Gil, he will need to pick it up soon if he doesn’t want to be at serious risk of losing his rotation spot whenever Gerrit Cole or Carlos Rodón return. Unlike in the ALDS, he is fully behind Will Warren on the depth chart.

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How Lakers improved defense fueled win over the Suns

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Luke Kennard #10 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers defend against the dribble of Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Defense wins championships, as the old adage goes. While this team is unlikely to reach championship heights, it has secured the Lakers no lower than a fourth seed in the playoffs. This guarantees them home court in the first round, regardless of what happens on the final day of the regular season.

LA has had a real defensive turnaround post-All-Star break, jumping from 23rd to 14th in defensive rating. They showed their teeth on the second night of a back-to-back against the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

The Lakers’ stingy defense held Phoenix to only 25 second half points as they led by as many as 29 en route to a comfortable victory. Phoenix mustered up just 73 total points, a season low for any opponent by a mile. This also follows up allowing just 103 points to the Warriors the night before.

The Suns came in heavily shorthanded on Friday. They were without many backcourt players, including their star guard Devin Booker. It pushed Dillon Brooks, a 20-point-per-game scorer this year, up into the No. 1 option.

After a turnover on the play below, all Lakers sprint back in transition. LA switches the first screen, so LeBron ends up guarding Brooks. Then the opposing center, Mark Williams, sets a second screen. Ayton responds by dropping into the Lakers “no roller behind” coverage, which stops any lob pass and discourages drives. This forces Brooks to settle for a contested pull-up shot over LeBron.

All five Lakers on the floor are clearly in sync with the game plan.

The same result occurs a few possessions later. The purple and gold switch all screen actions in the clip below, negating any potential advantage, while in lockstep on their help responsibilities to shut down all baseline drive attempts.

It’s kicked out to Brooks once again for a side step shot as the shot clock dwindles to zero. Brooks fished just 5-14 from the field with three turnovers.

“I thought the whole game, our defense was really physical outside of a couple mishaps,” head coach J.J. Redick said postgame. “I thought we talked pregame a lot about just being able to execute our coverages because they do so many different things. Whether it’s stack, the backside action, all the off-ball stuff, I think our guys did a great job of that and they did it with physicality.”

A major part of the Lakers’ defensive execution, physicality and overall identity all season is Marcus Smart, who returned off the bench for the first time since missing nine straight games. LA certainly missed his intensity and consistent motor, represented in the clip below.

Watch him knock the ball away to steal the rebound and whip the pass over to Jarred Vanderbilt for the finish.

Smart collected two steals in just 18 minutes to go along with five rebounds and seven assists. LA as a team forced 17 steals and 23 total turnovers against the Suns. Not a single Laker finished with a negative plus-minus with all five starters being a double-digit positive.

Without the services of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the Lakers not only miss their starting backcourt but also the league’s highest-scoring duo, with 67 combined points per game. It’s too much production to make up for, and it makes the offense a tough thing to lean on.

Where they can consistently hang their hat is in their effort and execution on defense. It’s not what the team was originally built on, but circumstances have changed. If they want to survive in the playoffs, their team defense will have to carry them.

You can follow Raj on X at @RajChipalu

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Washington Capitals At Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play the first half of a home-and-home back-to-back against the Washington Capitals on Saturday.

Saturday's game will be in Pittsburgh, followed by Sunday's game in Washington. 

Both games are meaningless for the Penguins since they already have the second seed in the Metropolitan Division locked up. Meanwhile, the Capitals will be playing for their season this weekend, even if their playoff odds are only at 7.4% right now. 

Saturday's game could be Alex Ovechkin's last in Pittsburgh, as he's contemplating retirement this offseason. He's one of the best players in NHL history and broke Wayne Gretzky's record for the most goals in NHL history last April. He may be 40, but he still has 31 goals and 61 points in 79 games this season.

Outside of Ovechkin, the Capitals still have power forward Tom Wilson, who's having a great year with 29 goals and 59 points in 69 games. Aliaksei Protas has been fantastic, racking up 24 goals and 50 points in 73 games.

Jakob Chychrun has been the Caps' No. 1 defenseman this season with 25 goals and 59 points in 77 games. However, don't sleep on Cole Hutson. He already has three goals and eight points in 11 games since making his NHL debut in March. 

Goaltender Logan Thompson is expected to get the start for the Caps, and he's been one of the best goaltenders in the league this year. He leads the NHL with 28.1 goals saved above expected and has a .912 save percentage. 

The Penguins are resting a lot of their key starters for Saturday's game after clinching a playoff spot on Thursday, including captain Sidney Crosby. This was supposed to be the 100th all-time meeting between Crosby and Ovechkin, but it won't happen. 

Outside of Crosby, Ben Kindel, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, Parker Wotherspoon, and Kris Letang will also not play. 

Forwards Joona Koppanen, Rutger McGroarty, and Ville Koivunen have been recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. ET on ABC. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

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